Chapter 4
To say Harry was panicking was an understatement. His breathing was coming in quick, ragged breaths. His chest felt too tight and everything felt like it was getting smaller. Harry's vision was getting blurry.
He realized it was with tears.
Harry felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. Here he was sitting next to Draco freaking Malfoy and Severus Snape crying like a baby all because he was in a cupboard. It felt humiliating.
Suddenly, Harry was acutely aware of two voices calling his name. "Potter, are you okay?" That definitely sounded like Dra-Malfoys voice, it had that deep rich quality to it. Wait, why did Harry know how Malfoys voice sounded? Whatever, that was the least fo his problems.
"Mr.Potter," Said a soft, gentle voice that Harry could only guess was Snape's. "It appears you are having a panic attack. Try to slow your breathing, ok? Listen to me breathe and try to follow it."
Harry was still shaking but started matching his breathing with Snape's. He felt a few tears trail down his face before violently wiping them away.
As soon as his vision cleared up he was two faces worriedly staring at him. "Well," said Harry, "If you want to make fun of me go ahead. The boy who lived who's supposed to defeat the dark lord afraid of some tiny cupboard. Go ahead, tell me I'm weak and don't deserve the fame. What're you waiting for!" By the end Harry was yelling.
They just stared at him before Draco gently said, "Potter, what just happened isn't something to be ashamed of. Speaking of which, what did just happen?" Draco sent a quick glance to Snape.
"Mr.Potter, I have to agree with Draco here, and we will be stuck in here for a couple hours. What just happened? Remember, we are here to help you, not harm you." Snape tried to say this as gently as possible, even though he was sitting in front of his worst bullies son.
Harry frowned. "Harry." He couldn't help but blurt it out. "I mean, if I'm going to be telling you anything could you call be by my first name, sirs?"
An expression of displeasure graced Draco's face. "Harry, why did you call me sir. I understand Professor Snape, but me?" Harry sighed. "Sorry, It's sort of a habit, you'll understand later."
They held eye contact for a few seconds, "I hate to interrupt the moment, but I believe you have some explaining to do Harry." Said Snape, while wearing his famous sneer. "Okay, could you guys ask questions instead of me just telling the story, so I know what specifically you want to know?"
Harry made sure not to mention that Uncle Vernon would beat him whenever he spoke without being spoken to, and Vernon's warning that he gave Harry right before he left still rung in his mind. 'Listen boy, if you don't follow any of my rules while at that stupid freak school of yours I'll know.' Harry shuddered just thinking about it. A movement that he thought no one would notice, but he seemed to forget there weren't two ordinary men in the room, there were two Slytherins in the room. Their trained and cunning eyes caught the movement right away.
"Ok Harry, why do cupboards scare you?" Asked Draco rather bluntly.
"Well the cupboard under the stairs was my bedroom until I came to Hogwarts." There were two yells of outrage, and Harry chuckled a little bit, "Wow, if that's your reaction, I wonder how you'll feel about the rest of this story."
"Harry, that's totally unacceptable." "I know sir, a freak like me doesn't deserve a bed. It's okay though, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia remind me how generous they were to take me in and give me a bed and food by reminding me of my place if I complain." Harry gave a dark chuckle.
Snape exchanged a horrified glance with Draco. "Harry," Snape said, "What do your Aunt and Uncle do?" Draco saw Harry was on the verge of another panic attack and quietly said, "Remember Harry, we want to help you, please let us."
Harry took a deep breath in and exhaled. "Okay, just prepare yourselves."
They were going to be here for a while.